Libraries and schools working together
20 Mar 2008
More joined up working between schools and libraries can make a big difference
A new initiative ‘Enjoying Reading’ is to be launched, to help every child love reading by encouraging schools and libraries to work more closely together.
Funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and led by The Reading Agency, the initiative aims to help schools understand how libraries can help them, and provide practical tools for joint work. New resources, including a website, booklets for schools and practical materials linked to the Summer Reading Challenge will be launched on April 1, to coincide with the beginning of the National Year of Reading.
The website, www.enjoyingreading.org.uk, has been created in consultation with teachers, librarians and educational advisers and shows how schools can make the best of the resources each part of the library system has to offer. A bank of ideas allows teachers and library staff to work together to achieve common aims, and the site provides a discussion space for teachers and library staff to meet virtually and share ideas.
Schools Minister, Jim Knight: “Children’s enjoyment of reading is critical to their life chances, but schools alone can’t crack this. The Department for Children, Schools and Families believes more joined up working between schools and libraries can make a big difference and is funding the Enjoying Reading initiative to provide inspiration, ideas and practical support.”
